Work climate, diversity and equity

A diverse workplace signals that the faculty draws from the best talent available, that our students get a well-rounded education, and that our research programs are informed by diverse perspectives. Diversity is not only synergistic with excellence, but also promotes equitable access to the rewards of an academic career.

The first working climate report for faculty at UBC Science (2007) pointed to ways in which we could foster excellence by providing a more supportive and equitable environment for all of our faculty members. In collaboration with our units, the Dean’s office acted on these recommendations—increasing our efforts to hire excellent women and men from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status. We also established transparent guidelines and procedures to support equitable career progression.

The 2014 report on our second working climate study, and a 2016 update, indicate steady progress toward building a diverse faculty and an equitable working environment at UBC Science. The increased diversity in recruitment and the improved working climate reflect the collective commitment of faculty members, administrators and staff. We’re particularly proud of the efforts our units have put into these initiatives, and especially commend the work of our physical science departments. The 2014 report provides recommendations for building on these successes by expanding best practices in areas of remaining concern, and for supporting a highly talented and effective teaching and research faculty.

- Simon Peacock, Dean of Science, UBC

UBC Science Faculty Member Diversity: 2016 Progress Report

Since 2008, the Faculty of Science has seen a slow but steady increase in the percentage of women faculty in the research stream. The representation of women among full professors across Science increased from three per cent in 2000 to eight in 2008 to 19 per cent in 2016. Continuously, close to half of the teaching-stream faculty were women. While the rate of women in research faculty hires was close to the available pool of women post-doctoral fellows (in North America), the average hiring rate over the past years for people of colour (visible minorities) fell short of the respective pool.

In 2012/2013, UBC Science and UBC Applied Science jointly conducted a working climate study for faculty members. The study followed UBC Science’s first working climate assessment, designed to determine the effectiveness of changes made and to recommend an action plan for the next five years.

Working Climate Study for UBC Science Faculty: 2012/2013

UBC Science and Applied Science conducted a joint working climate study for full-time faculty members in Science and Engineering departments. Faculty were invited to participate in an online survey and in focus groups to voice views on areas that need to be addressed in order to support a diverse faculty and to sustain a strong reputation for research and teaching. More than half of the faculty members in both units participated in the survey. The assessment also reviewed departmental guidelines and procedures for faculty and analyzed institutional data on demographics, recruiting, career progress, recognition and workload.

Equity and Working Climate Initiatives and Outcomes Pertaining to Tenure-track Faculty at UBC Science: 2011

The 2007 Working Climate Assessment called for the collection of data to measure the effects of proposed diversity policy initiatives targeted toward tenure-track faculty members in UBC Science. This report summarizes and highlights the findings of three years of data collection and analyses on recruitment and hiring, partner accommodation, promotion and tenure cases, leadership appointments, merit and retention cases, academic awards, and work-life balance. While the period studied is relatively brief and the data limited, it provides information beyond that presented in the 2007 report.

Up-Date: Towards a Diverse Faculty of Science at UBC: 2010

Towards a Diverse Faculty of Science at UBC Vancouver: 2009

Dean Simon Peacock and Anne Condon, Associate Dean (2007-2010), proposed steps that UBC Science can take to increase the diversity of its faculty, and to support both excellence at work and balance with other life choices. In 2008, faculty were invited to share their feedback on the draft proposal in order to shape these efforts.

External Review of the UBC Faculty of Science Plan to Support a Diverse Faculty: 2008

In March 2008, Professor Ana Mari Cauce, Executive Vice Provost, Academic Affairs and Planning, University of Washington, and Professor Angela Hildyard, Vice President, Human Resources and Equity, University of Toronto, assessed the proposed UBC Science plan to support a diverse faculty. The review team provided their report including advice to the Dean and faculty on the effectiveness of the plan and recommendations for potential alternative and additional strategies.

First Assessment of the Working Climate for UBC Science Faculty: 2007

In 2005, an advisory committee assessed the working climate for science faculty at UBC, focusing on concerns raised by women faculty. It was supported by the Faculty of Science, the Office of the Provost, and the Vice President for Research. In 2007, a UBC-wide task force completed their work of developing recommendations based on the study.